The National Football Scouting combine is seriously considering Ind

February 1, 1987

INDIANAPOLIS (AP) _ The National Football Scouting combine is seriously considering Indianapolis as the home of its annual winter camp, according to the director of the organization which brings all 28 NFL teams together for a look at the nation’s best college seniors.

No formal contract has been signed for next year, but the Hoosier Dome has been reserved from Feb. 1-7 of next year for a return engagement.

″Indianapolis is very attractive to us because of the Hoosier Dome, the nearby housing and the access for the teams,″ said Harry Buffington. ″We want to conduct the workouts in a domed stadium because even one day of inclement weather would cost us an additional million dollars.″

The four-day program for more than 300 players in the Hoosier Dome finished on Saturday. Two years ago, the camp was held at Phoenix, but the weather was cold and wet, prompting the decision to keep the workouts indoors. In 1986, the combine met at New Orleans.

This was the sixth year for the camp. The expenses of the camp are shared by all 28 teams.

″We started with about 100 players participating,″ said Buffington. ″The clubs reduce costs by having all of the top players coming to one location and this camp reduces the time a player has to miss class.″

Results of the testing are not made public. The most confidential reports are the physical examinations - especially areas involving drugs and injuries. For the first time, players were tested for the use of steroids.

The 1987 draft class is rated ″good″ by Buffington, whose organization represents 19 of the 28 franchises. ″I think there’s more players this year than in the last two or three years. It is a big year for linebackers, there’s a lot of good linemen on both sides of the ball and there’s a lot of good wide receivers.″

Vinny Testaverde, the Heisman Trophy winner from Miami, is the only quarterback expected to be drafted on the first round.